With only days to go until the start of Israel’s controversial disengagement from the Gaza Strip, two former Europeans living next door to each other in one of the settlements slated for evacuation are preparing for the pullout, whilst hoping a miracle will stop the plan in its tracks.

British born Aron Rukin moved to the settlement of Atzmona in 1989 while his Belgian neighbour Benny Bloch moved to the area four years earlier. They are amongst the estimated 8,000 Gaza Strip settlers who will be told to pack up and leave their homes from Monday 15 August.

Rukin, 57, who hails from Edgware in North West London, told EJP that although he hopes the disengagement will not go ahead, he has begun organising for the inevitable.

Despite media portrayals of the settlers as hardcore extremists, more than 60 per cent have already accepted compensation packages, while many of the others are not intending to resist the army’s orders, according to government figures. 

Stressing that the 70 families living in Atzmona are sticking together, Rukin said: “Atzmona is going to be evicted, no one is leaving of their own free will. Please God there will be a miracle but we have been told by the Rabbi of the settlement that we should start packing on Sunday night because we don’t know if a miracle will actually come.”

No resistance

Like many settlers in the Gush Katif bloc, the Jewish section of the Gaza Strip, Rukin has no idea where he will be sent when his home is evacuated. But he stressed he will not resist the police or soldiers who are expected to make him leave.

“When the soldiers knock on our door we will invite them in, treat them as well as we can and go without making any problems. I am not going to resist,” Rukin said.

“You can’t beat the army or the police, its ridiculous. If I hit a soldier it isn’t going to help anything. We are going to stay as long as we can but then leave. I do not know where we are going but they will take us to a hotel or tents or something.”

Bloch, who moved to Israel from the city of Ghent, told EJP that emotions are running high in the area.

The father of eight children said: “It is a very emotional and very difficult time. When I made aliya (moved to Israel), I wanted to build the land and now they are going to destroy one of the most beautiful Jewish communities in the world. It is very sad from both the personal and general view.”

Reluctant preparations

But despite the opposition to the disengagement, both men have begun their preparations. Bloch spoke of how he has started to pack up his precious possessions, such as family photographs and heirlooms from Europe.

Rukin admitted that although he does not want to prepare to leave he is worried about how the army or police will treat his belongings so he has begun sending some things, including his car out of the area.

One of the most difficult issues is how the settlers will be able to continue working once they leave. Both neighbours stressed that they are relying on their settlement council to help them continue in their professions. Rukin works in the local plant nursery while Bloch works as a kosher food inspector in the local vegetable packing plant.

And throughout these difficult times, the pair are relying on each other for support. “Benny is a great friend of mine. He always invites me round for meals and we often talk and exchange views. We are in this together.”

Bloch added: “We for the moment are staying here. The feelings are very bad but we are not giving up. We want to stay.”